In Pursuit of Balance, Boundaries, and Better Parks with Jennifer Spieser

This week on the podcast, we chatted with Jen Spieser, CEO of the Cincinnati Parks Foundation! 🌳 She's in pursuit of balance and boundaries while leading a massive effort to make Cincinnati's parks the best they can be. The highlights: Cincinnati has the 4th best urban park system in the country! The Foundation has raised over $110 million in its 30 years to support our green spaces. We're learning about "third spaces"—safe, communal spots—and how grassroots groups are getting free funding for neighborhood park programs. They’ve partnered with the Osher Center for Integrative Health to launch Parks & Rec for Wellness, focusing on mindfulness and holistic health in nature. Jen shares how the pandemic gave her a much-needed gift of time and flexibility with her daughter, proving that work-life balance is possible. It's all about how strong communities and great parks make us better together! Tune in! 🎧 About this week's guest: Jennifer brings over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, where her passion, authenticity, and commitment to equity have made a lasting impact. As a leader at the Cincinnati Parks Foundation, she has been instrumental in advancing inclusive initiatives, particularly around accessibility in public infrastructure and programming. Under her leadership since 2015, the Foundation has raised more than $30 million in support of Cincinnati Parks. Previously, Jennifer served as Head of Development for the Cincinnati Fire Department, where she successfully raised over $35 million and made history as the Department’s first female Public Information Officer. A dedicated civic leader, Jennifer has served on the boards of the National Association of Park Foundations and the Cincinnati Recreation Foundation. She has lent her expertise to advisory panels for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Give Back Cincinnati, Greater Cincinnati Hamilton County Disabilities Services, Cincinnati Ballet Academy, ArtWorks, and the Women’s Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation. Jennifer is a Founding Member of the Women’s Committee of Cincinnati Parks, a graduate of Leadership Cincinnati Class 45, and a proud member of the Sons & Daughters of Italy. She currently serves on the boards of the Cincinnati Fire Foundation and Cincinnati Children’s Theater, and as an Advisory Council Member for Duke Energy.